Development and validation of an LC–MS/MS assay for tenofovir and tenofovir alafenamide in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid

Author Information: Translational Pharmacology Research Core, Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences, New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA

Abstract

A liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of tenofovir and tenofovir alafenamide concentrations in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Tenofovir and tenofovir alafenamide were extracted from matrix by solid phase extraction. The dried extraction eluents were dissolved in water for LC–MS/MS analysis. Separation was achieved with a Phenomenex Synergi 4 μm Polar-RP 80A column (50 × 2 mm) with a gradient elution of 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile. The total run time was 5 min. Detection of analytes was achieved using electrospray ionization (positive mode) and triple quadrupole selected reaction monitoring. Standard curve concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 500 ng/mL for the plasma assay and 0.1–50 ng/mL for the cerebrospinal fluid assay. The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision were less than 12% in low, medium, and high quality control samples for both matrices. The validated methods were applied to the analysis of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid samples of a patient undergoing tenofovir therapy which involved the switch from Stribild® (elvitegravir 150 mg/cobicistat 150 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg) to Genvoya® (elvitegravir 150 mg/cobicistat 150 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 10 mg).